Christine Smith, 74, says she has heard 'scratching and scraping' inside the walls of her Little Hulton social housing almost every night since early 2024. She has lived in the same home for 40 years and has spent thousands making it her own, but now fears rats have taken over the property's infrastructure.
Health Impact and Doctors' Concerns
Christine said the lack of sleep is affecting her health. “I’m frightened to death with it,” she said. “When it happens I can’t sleep, I just hear this horrible scratching and scuffling sound for hours on end. It makes my skin crawl.”
Her GPs have raised concerns over the past two years, with doctors' notes stating the issue is 'clearly exacerbating' her stress, anxiety, and physical wellbeing. They have recommended she be rehoused.
Believed Source of the Pests
Christine and her brother Michael believe the rats come from an alleyway behind the row of terraced houses, a narrow path with trees and vegetation that is a frequent fly-tipping hotspot. “We think they come in from outside, but they’re getting inside the walls somehow,” Christine said. “It’s worst when I have the heating on. They go mad, you can hear them scurrying and writhing. I’m dreading the winter, I really don’t know what I’ll do.”
Christine says she has received conflicting information from building management and pest control, with some reporting signs of disturbances on rat poison and others disagreeing. She feels her concerns are not being taken seriously.
Housing Association Response
ForHousing says it has found 'no evidence' of rats during several call-outs in recent years. Martyn Hague, Executive Director of Customer at ForHousing, said: “We’re really sorry that this has been a frustrating and worrying experience for Christine. Over the last three years, we’ve visited her home multiple times to investigate reports of pest activity but we haven’t ever found evidence of an active infestation.”
He added that the association has worked with the council and specialist contractors on treatments including bait traps, tracking powder, lifting floorboards, and installing wire meshing. After new reports this year, a pest control company carried out seven further inspections, which found no evidence of an active infestation. ForHousing says it is discussing housing options with Christine and will continue to support her.
